Since 2002, the Hawaii International Film Festival has had a “;sister”; relationship with the Shanghai International Film Festival, in particular a Student Media Art exchange between Shanghai University and the University of Hawaii-Manoa's Academy for Creative Media.

Yang Qi Xiang, vice president of the Shanghai Media & Entertainment Group, said Saturday that he hopes stronger relations could grow out of the student-exchange program.

“;While a lot has been done thanks to the Hawaii International Film Festival, we would like to see more done to promote the link between our Asian and Western cities,”; Yang said through an interpreter. “;Art, like film, provides a window into our respective cultures, but tourism as well can promote cultural understanding. With the film festival as a platform, other fine and performing arts from our country can help further this understanding.”;

Yang and Mayor Mufi Hannemann met for breakfast Saturday to discuss ways to strengthen ties. At a later press conference, Hannemann presented the city's Vision in Film Award to Yang.

“;What we know of each other is still a little bit superficial,”; Yang said. “;For instance, I've been here less than a day, and I know Hawaii is much more that its island landscape and Pearl Harbor. So I feel I have a responsibility when I go back to tell more about Hawaii than what is usually known about it, in hopes that there will be a larger exchange of tourists between here and Shanghai.”;

Yang added: “;I hope that the mayor will attend the Shanghai festival next year so that I can introduce him to our tourism administration and maybe start to develop a Hawaii visitor industry in our city.”;